Sophie Dahl recalls the 'terrifying fetish-themed' first catwalk show which made her a famous supermodel and her incredible response to jibes about her size 14 figure

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By ALEX DOYLE - SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

Published: 11:41 GMT, 23 February 2026 | Updated: 11:42 GMT, 23 February 2026

Sophie Dahl has recalled her first ever catwalk show which launched her famous supermodel career - as she responded to jibes at the time about her size 14 figure. 

The English author and model, 48, who is married to singer Jamie Cullum, took to social media on Sunday where she shared a throwback snap of her attending Lainey Keogh's knitwear show in the capital back in 1997.

It was her first show after former magazine editor Isabella Blow, who was the stylist, found Sophie before her 18th birthday 'crying and smoking a cigarette on her doorstep'.

Sophie put on a racy display, dazzling in a sheer dress with her black underwear on display as camera flashes went off.

It was a defining look for that time, after the 'heroin chic' era of fashion back in the 90s.

After being snapped, Sophie hit headlines the following day, with one in particular that poked fun at her size 14 figure and said: 'Absolutely Flabulous Dahling!'

Sophie Dahl has recalled her first ever catwalk show which launched her famous supermodel career - as she responded to jibes at the time about her size 14 figure (pictured in 1997)

The English author and model, 48 took to social media on Sunday where she shared a throwback snap of her attending Lainey Keogh's knitwear show in the capital back in 1997

Sophie has now revealed she was unaware there was an 'L' included in fabulous, despite the picture and headline being stuck to her fridge by her then flatmate.

Resharing the snap, she explained: 'I'm always so curious about what people are feeling versus how they look like they're feeling - I remember being terrified, but look a haughty, possibly homicidal, Diana the huntress.

'The next day one of the tabloids printed this picture of me on the cover, and the headline was "Absolutely Flabulous Dahling!" My then flatmate stuck it on the fridge, and I didn't notice the letter L til about six months later. 

'I just read Fabulous.'

She was flooded with supportive messages, including from Daisy Lowe who replied: 'Always and forever a stunning beauty'.

Another follower said: 'Love this so much. The 90s were a great, great decade. How we danced!';

'I remember this like it was yesterday! I worked on this show … you were so sweet, polite and mesmerising and so so seductive!';

'Ooh. So crazy. You looked amazing. And I had forget about Lainey who was great x'; 'Sweet, dear and precious lady. I remember this, you’re so beautiful, inside and out'. 

Sophie has now revealed she was unaware there was an 'L' included in fabulous, despite the picture and headline being stuck to her fridge by her then flatmate

Sophie is married to singer Jamie Cullum, with the pair sharing two daughters, Lyra, 14, and Margot, 12 (pictured together in 2019)

Sophie and her husband Jamie rarely make public appearances together, with the last time they were spotted together at the launch of 'Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop' in 2024. 

In 2021, Jamie revealed to Red the secret to keeping his 10-year marriage to the supermodel going strong.

He said: 'Loving her has challenged my perceptions about what it means to live, love and think'.

Jamie also spoke about the importance of 'growing to meet each other' in a long-term relationship.

'We were both really big readers, and we both loved cooking for our friends; she still had all the same friends from school and I still had mine,' he said.

'She is also a straight talker, and I prefer people like that. I guess the definition of love is when you are able to reveal both your best and worst sides, and that person still loves you.'

The pair now share two daughters, Lyra, 14, and Margot, 12.

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